State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection

State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Drinking Water & Domestic Wastewater Water Distribution System Operator Program Handbook

Operator Certification Program 2600 Blair Stone Rd. MS 3506, Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400

Telephone (850) 245-7500 Fax (850) 245-8410 OCP Home Page

Customer Satisfaction Survey

Revised: April 2019

Table of Contents

Mission of the Operator Certification Program

Introduction: Please Read This First!

Step One: Examination process High School Diploma Minimum Examination Eligibility Requirements Examination Fees Wards of the State (Florida only)

Out of State Applicants

Step Two: Licensing process Licensure Application Licensure Application Fee Experience Verification Employment Verification Current or Past: What is required when submitting a License application? Minimum Licensure Eligibility Requirements

Mailing Addresses and Contact Information

Change of Address

Technical Assistance and Professional Training

Related Regulatory Information

Examination Subject Area Overview

Approved Training Courses - Water and Wastewater Treatment Operator

Training outside of Florida

Approved on-line and Community College course list

Approved Training Courses - Water Distribution System Operator

License Renewal and Failure To Renew

Null and Void Licenses

Frequently Asked Questions Concerning Continuing Education

Continuing Education Providers

Approved Correspondence Courses for CEUs

Things to Remember Before Sending in Your Application Examination Applicants License Applicants

2 2 2

2 4 5 5 6 7 7 7 8 8 8 8 10 10 11 11 12 15 15 15 19 22 23 24 25 26 29 29 29

Revised: April 2019

Mission of the Operator Certification Program

The mission of the Florida Operator Certification Program is to promote public health and safety, protect the environment, and conserve Florida's water resources by ensuring that all persons working in drinking water, water distribution, and wastewater meet the highest standards for certification as determined by the rules and regulations of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection under the guidelines of the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Introduction: Please Read This First!

Chapter 62-602. Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.) defines specific requirements for application, examination, licensure, renewal, and regulation of Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and Distribution System Operators.

This handbook contains useful information on approved training courses, related regulations and associations that assist in training or technical programs. We encourage you to carefully read all information in the handbook before completing an application.

Step One: Examination process

You must meet all minimum eligibility requirements for the examination type and level for which you are applying. Here is what you will need to be considered eligible to qualify for examination for Water, Waste water or Water System Distribution operators.

? Complete an examination application in full. [Application must be for examination] ? Include your name, address, telephone number, date of birth, social security number and

level/type of license. If you are requesting special testing accommodations, please send documentation as to the disability or accommodation needed. A doctor's note or other documentation is required to obtain pre-approval. You may be contacted if we need any additional information. ? One 2 X 2 photo. [Florida wards of the state please provide two photos] ? Provide a copy of the FDEP approved coursework for the level and type of examination you are applying for. A list of approved coursework is provided in this handbook. ? High school diploma, GED or college transcript showing date of graduation is also acceptable. Note: All educational diplomas or transcripts from foreign countries must be accompanied by an evaluation to determine equivalency to a United States High School diploma. The education evaluation must be conducted by a nationally recognized credential evaluation service. The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) has a list of companies that you may choose from. Please visit for a complete list of NACES members. ? The application must be signed and dated by the applicant.

High School Diploma

To be licensed as a Treatment Plant or Water Distribution System operator in the State of Florida, each applicant must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent.

Please be aware that there are many on-line & correspondence schools that claim to offer "High School Diploma's", "GEDs" or other types of diplomas that are equivalent to that of a traditional high school diploma. Programs charge approximately $199 to $400 for these type diplomas. Please do not

Revised: April 2019

be fooled by claims you read over the internet. The diplomas that most on-line & correspondence schools provide are not accepted by our program and are not equivalent to that of a high school diploma.

Some warning signs for you to look for and to avoid are:

? Programs that offer credit for "life experiences" or credit for classes you may have taken while in high school. Life experiences do not equate to that of structured education or learning.

? Programs that charge significant amounts of money for a diploma. Most reputable GED programs are FREE and can be found at a Vo-tech school or adult education center in your local area.

? Programs that do not have a physical location such as street address, city, state or zip. Again, most reputable GED programs are FREE and can be found in your local area.

? Programs that handle all of their correspondence only by email. You should be able to visit an established place of business and speak with real employees.

? Programs that speak of accreditation but state they are "strictly self-evaluated". Contacting reputable accreditation organizations is a great first step in trying to determine if a school is legitimate. In our area, the "Southern Association of Schools & Colleges" is recommended.

? Programs that allow you take open book tests as the requirement to receive a diploma. We only consider examinations that are controlled in a proctored environment to be acceptable.

? Programs that offer a simple "ranking system" or a "comparison styled system" as a way of determining graduation criteria. There needs to be predefined parameters for what is considered passing and failing.

? Programs that offer a "motivational approach" to education. Proper instruction and evaluation is the only approach to education that is acceptable.

? Programs that make it possible to get a diploma in just a few days.

In closing, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Operator Certification Program, only accepts General Educational Development (GED) issued by the American Council on Education through an approved GED Administrator. In Florida, the approved GED Administrator is the Florida Department of Education through its network of public schools and adult education centers. So, before you spend your time and money for a diploma that may not be accepted by our program, please contact the Operator Certification Program for prior approval. We may be reached at (850) 245-7500. To learn more about GEDs please visit the American Council on Education's webpage.

Thank You, Operator Certification Program

Revised: April 2019

Minimum Examination Eligibility Requirements

The definition of Qualifications for Operator Licensure can be found in the rules section of this handbook under 62-602.300, (F.A.C). For Water, Wastewater and/or Water Distribution Operators Examinations

D Class ? Have a high school diploma or equivalent. (Course completion is optional) *. (*Note this license category is for an owner operator of a small water or wastewater system) ? Have a high school diploma or equivalent.

C Class or 3 Level ? Have a high school diploma or equivalent ? Document successful completion of a Department-approved training course, taken no more than five years prior to the examination date.

B Class or 2 Level ? Have a high school diploma or equivalent. ? Have an active Class C license of same type. ? Document successful completion of a Department-approved training course, taken no more than five years prior to the examination date.

A Class or 1 Level ? Have a high school diploma or equivalent. ? Have an active Class B license of same type. ? Document successful completion of a Department-approved training course; completed no more than five years prior to the examination date.

Revised: April 2019

Examination Fees

The total fee to be submitted with each examination application for the Class A, B & C exams $100.00 The total fee to be submitted with each examination for the Class D or Level 1, 2, 3 exams $75.00 Ward of the State of Florida: (Inmates) $20.00

Note: The application fee is non-refundable. If an applicant is determined to be ineligible for examination, the examination fee will be refunded upon written request.

All examination applications must be submitted with required documentation and fees to be considered complete. Applications received with missing information, or unacceptable course work, photos or insufficient fees are considered INCOMPLETE. Applicants must meet the minimum eligibility requirements for the applicable level of examination prior to approval and scheduling. If an application section does not apply, "N/A" should be written in the respective spaces.

Applications do not come directly to our office. Applications go to Finance and Accounting where a receipt number is issued. Upon receipt our department has up to 30 days to process an application. If you have not received notification at the end of 30 days please contact our office. Remember our mail is not automatically forwarded. Please provide a current address.

Retain all instructions and the rules sections and make copies of the completed application for your records before mailing. Upon review of your application, you will receive a status notification from the Department. Please type or write clearly on your application to ensure your name and address is spelled accurately. Please remember that information in this handbook is subject to change at any time. If you find information in this book that you believe to be questionable, please contact our office for clarification. Good luck on your upcoming exams.

Wards of the State (Florida only)

For Wards of the State of Florida you will be required to take a paper and pencil examination. The Computer Based Test (CBT) is not offered.

Once you are scheduled we will notify The Florida Department of Corrections (DOC) and they will make the arrangements as to the correctional facility where you will be tested. Please provide the Department of Corrections DC number and name of the correctional facility in the address line of the first page of the application.

The examination is administered through the DOC two times each year; February and August. A complete examination application package must be received 90 days prior to the examination that you wish to be scheduled for:

*Exam date August 2019 ? application deadline May 31, 2019 *Exam date February 2020 ? application deadline November 30, 2019

Revised: April 2019

Our Department approves your application for examination only. DOC will make all the arrangements as to where you will be taking your exam.

Note: A completed application package consists of the examination application, application fee, and completion certificate of the required training course and copy of high school diploma or GED.

Out of State Applicants

Florida does not offer reciprocity with any other state or foreign country. You are required to successfully complete a Department approved training course, pass the state licensing examination, and document the appropriate amount of hands-on operational experience for the license type and level that you are applying for. Prior to submitting an examination application, please provide our office with the following information so that your out-of-state treatment plant operator license can be evaluated for the comparable licensing level in Florida. If your higher level of licensing can be determined to be equivalent to our Florida license, you will be eligible to test at a higher level of examination than the entry level of C. Submit the following:

? A copy of your current and active out-of-state license ? A complete flow diagram and detailed description of all plant treatment processes and

operations and plant flow type ? Verification of experience signed by a supervisor and/or licensed operator.

Verification letter(s) must be on company letterhead and include dates of employment, hours worked per week, overtime hours if applicable, and a detailed description of duties performed. Leaving off any one item will hinder your approval. Submit an employment resume. ? A copy of the laws and rules of your state showing the level of certification and years of experience required for the level of license you wish to apply for examination in Florida.

Once the evaluation is completed, you can expect to receive a written response from the Operator Certification Program Administrator reflecting pre-approval of the credited amount of experience hours and license level you are eligible to apply for. One you are approved you will be ready to begin the process of the DEP examination.

NOTE: Experience is defined as on-site or hands-on operational experience in a treatment plant. All experience must be verified by signature of a supervisor and/or a licensed operator from the same state. Experience must be verified by plant type in which you have worked or are presently working, indicating time worked in on-site plant operation, with these stipulations:

Wastewater treatment plants must have a system for solids control. Water treatment plant experience must be gained in drinking water plants (Experience gained from water systems used for swimming pools is excluded). Operators under contract for the operation of several plants must identify level, class and, if applicable, the name of each plant operated and name of the contracting company.

Submit evaluation information to: Florida Department of Environmental Protection Operator Certification Program Ronald McCulley, Program Administrator 2600 Blair Stone Road, MS3506 Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400

Revised: April 2019

Step Two: Licensing process

Once you have passed the examination you must complete the licensure application. This application will document actual treatment plant experience. The sections of the application for current and past employment can ONLY be verified by a Florida DEP licensed Water or Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator or licensed Distribution System Operator in the appropriate field. A letter from your human resources office does verify your employment; however, it is not verification of actual plant experience.

As per Chapter 62-602.420(2)(d), FAC., "If the employment experience is not verified by a licensed operator, an applicant for a treatment plant operator license must provide a reference letter from a peer who is a licensed operator of the same type (water or domestic wastewater) to verify the type of experience of the applicant. If the employment experience is not verified by a licensed operator, an applicant for a water distribution system operator license must provide a reference from a peer who is either a licensed water treatment plant operator or a licensed water distribution system operator to verify the type of experience of the applicant".

A peer reference letter may be used if you do not have the Employment Experience Verification page from the FDEP licensure application.

The peer reference letter must include the following: 1. Dates of employment from start to end date. Do not use the phrase "to present" as an end employment date. 2. Hours per week worked. 3. Name of plant worked. 4. Overtime hours if (available). 5. Name and title of person signing (printed). 6. Signature of a DEP licensed operator 7. Date. 8. Phone number.

Any verification from out-of-state should include any license numbers from that state. If possible provide a copy of the license card of the operator signing to verify that they have a current and active license. Please remember to make copies of any reference letters for your own records.

Licensure Application

To be licensed, you must have the correct number of hours of actual work experience required and pass the appropriate type and class examination.

Class A or Level 1 - 10,400 hours Class B or Level 2 - 6,240 hours Class C or Level 3 - 2,080 hours

All applicants will be notified in writing of their application status (complete or incomplete) within 30 days of receipt by the Department. Once the license application is approved, operators will receive their license and wall certificate within four weeks.

Licensure Application Fee

The application fee for the treatment plant operator license A, B & C class is $100.00; or $75.00 for the distribution system operator license. The total fee to be submitted with each licensure application for the D level license is $50.00. ($25.00 non-refundable application fee and $25.00 license fee).

Revised: April 2019

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